Koetsu cartridges. They must be something special.

Years ago many reviews indicated the most “musical” cartridge were the Koetsu stone with the Coralstone as one of the favorites.  The stone carts seemed unaffordable so I purchased the Rosewood Sig Platinum.

I was bummed when it was announced the Coralstone was being discontinued without ever hearing it, but I lucked out and picked up a mint Coralstone D for a great price.  Still debating whether to purchase a Ikeda tonearm and SUT to optimize the sound…another rabbit hole

Grado also has a “musical” reputation, tempted to investigate someday 

The Kiseki Purpleheart is known as a musical cartridge and some consider it similar to a budget priced Koetsu.  

No intention change main discussion, just quick question.

Me either very interested to know Koetsu.

I have LP-S and Shelter 9000, wondering would expect major different vs Black Goldline or Red T, because I heard Shelter like Koetsu, so I’m hesitating move forward.

Honestly, LP-S give me all I need and probably need nothing more, its very unique how analyze every instrument and with incredible dynamics all over but without take you away from music enjoyment.   Also, non fatiguing but not cold, and quite delicious.   Its also like larryi said in beginning.

Thanks!

Me either very interested to know Koetsu.

I have LP-S and Shelter 9000, wondering would expect major different vs Black Goldline or Red T, because I heard Shelter like Koetsu, so I’m hesitating move forward.

Honestly, LP-S give me all I need and probably need nothing more, its very unique how analyze every instrument and with incredible dynamics all over but without take you away from music enjoyment.   Also, non fatiguing but not cold, and quite delicious.   Its also like larryi said in beginning.

I’ve had 9000 and LP-S, but not Koetsu Red or Black - though Koetsu has a rep of a very consistent "house sound". With regards to the Koetsu I’ve owned (RSP, 5 different stones) they will give you a fatter, fuller, "tonally dense" and sweeter sound than those 2 cartridges. I don’t believe they give up anything in the resolution department either, but that can be a matter of perspective. Treble is relaxed versus more aggressive MC cartridges.

Shelter is interesting because they bounce around a bit between "warm" & full-bodied sounding models, versus models that are tuned for "pursuit of fine detail". The 7000 and Harmony are "pursuit of detail" models. Accord is full-bodied. 9000 is like an attempt to balance the 2 sides. My favorite is Accord, for what it’s worth. Then the 7000 and Harmony. Koetsu goes even a bit further than Accord, somehow without sacrificing perception of fine details. 

The LP-S I found articulate, but a bit polite and well-mannered for my tastes. It’s certainly not as warm or "romantic" as a Koetsu. And it’s not a good match for SUT because of its motor (non-magnetic coil former). 

All are fine cartridges, and you can see this is very much a mater of tatse, and system matching! Truth be told, my first Koetsu listen hit me like a ton of bricks when Tannoy Kensington were my main speakers - these absolutely benefit from a carrtidge with a warm, full-bodied tilt and relaxed treble like Koetsu. By contrast, Ortofon Windfeld was a poor match. Later I upgraded to Canterbury. These speakers are warm and full-bodied on their own - they still sound amazing with Koetsu, but they’re also far more accepting of other cartridges, including the Windfeld!

The very idea of matching cartridge and speakers is something that I have always thought of as being correct. And do fine tuning with tubes, starting with phono stage, of course.